Recent sightings in our woods are Indigo Buntings and Scarlet Tanagers. The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, which are indeed in the sparrow family, are still visiting the feeder. We hope they are nesting in our woods. House wrens are raising a brood in one of our birdhouses. I love waking up in the morning to the house wren's bubbly song.

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.

--Jane Austen.

Needle Notes

Estelle Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre. Despite my prediction that the sleeves﻿ on my Estelle would be smooth sailing, I have had a few challenges. They were a little tight in the upper arms and then I overcompensated and I made them too large. One sleeve is finished but may be a little short. See my project notes here. I felt it necessary to take a little break from Estelle so I cast on for And So Are You, a crescent-shaped shawl from the Be Mine Collection by Rose Beck. I am using Opulence (silk and wool) from The Woolen Rabbit.

The Felted Join

I have been using The Felted Join in Estelle and the Norwegian Setesdal Sweater. To be more civilized I have refined the name and the technique. This is often referred to as "the Spit Join". Instead of using your own saliva (which still works in a pinch) I use boiling water and then make myself a cup of tea to drink while I admire my handiwork.

Advantages of the Felted Join are that the ends are dealt with while knitting so there is less finishing work; the joins are practically indetectable; and if you frog (unravel) your project then you will have one giant ball of yarn. You must use wool or another feltable fiber (on your own here.)

Video Tutorial of The Felted Join

The Blethering Room

A couple of questions about e-readers were addressed.

I answered Judiuni's question about using lifelines.

I am joining The Knit Girllls in the Stash Dash 5K! The goal is to knit 5K (5,468 yd) of your stash between May 27 and August 15, 2011. Cheating is allowed. Projects that you started prior to May 27 count if you finish knitting them during the time frame. You may add to your stash during this event (remember that nice offer from Quince & CO for 10% off?)

As always, listening to your podcast was delightful. I wanted to especially thank you for the tip about the life line: it seems to cleaver to thread a string through the little hole of the KP option needles! I was always scared by lace, due to the fact that, if I mess up (and it usually happen a lot in my knitting!), I won't be able to fix it. The other day, I felt in love with Jared Flood Rock Island shawl (it looks so lovely for summer), but I was way too scared by lace to even think about knitting it. But now, thanks to your tip, I am contemplating starting it!